Frequently Asked Questions

Thinking about trying CrossFit? We bet you have lots of questions. Check out this list of questions we hear all the time, and see if yours appears. If it doesn’t, use the form at the bottom of the page to send it to us!

The Million Dollar Question: What Is CrossFit?

In several big words: CrossFit is Constantly Varied Functional Movements performed at High Intensity.

In one sentence: It’s a combination of strength training, gymnastics, calisthenics, plyometrics, and cardio that will prepare you for all the physical challenges that life can throw at you (and make you look better naked in the process).

Watch the video below for the 2-minute answer:

World Class Fitness in 100 Words

“Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Keep intake to levels that will support exercise but not body fat. Practice and train major lifts: deadlift, clean, squat, presses, clean and jerk, and snatch. Similarly, master the basics of gymnastics: pull-ups, dips, rope climbs, push-ups, sit-ups, presses to handstand, pirouettes, flips, splits, and holds. Bike, run, swim, row, etc, hard and fast. Five or six days per week, mix these elements in as many combinations and patterns as creativity will allow. Routine is the enemy. Keep workouts short and intense. Regularly learn and play new sports.”

Greg Glassman, CrossFit CEO and Founder

What kinds of exercises do you do in a CrossFit workout?

We focus on functional movements; the movements we all must do in real life. Movements your body is designed to do. In CrossFit, you’ll squat, press, jump and land, push and pull, throw and catch, run, row, and more. We don’t isolate. We don’t do back days, chest days or leg days. We’re all about compound, multi-joint, full body movements every day. Your muscles and joint are meant to work together, so train them that way!

How is CrossFit different than other workout regimens?

We didn’t invent any of the movements we use in our workouts, and we don’t have any fancy machines or special equipment. Here’s our secret recipe:

Intensity. Everyone squats (if you’re sitting down right now, how did you get there?). Maybe you’ve even done squats during a workout before. But have you ever done 50 squats as fast as possible?? We will ask you to do as much work as you can in a short amount of time. This is just one example. Our workouts usually don’t last very long (5-15 minutes on average), but you will feel every second of them.

Variance. Every day, our workout is something different and unexpected. Just like real life. Short workouts, longer workouts, heavy stuff, light stuff, et cetera… You will never find a pattern, you will never get bored or stuck in a rut, and you will be constantly challenged to learn new skills and movements. You’ll discover so many cool things you can do when you push yourself and work hard!

Intensity + Variance. This is how we get results.

I hear there are a lot of injuries in CrossFit. Will I get injured?

The movements you’ll do in a CrossFit workout are completely safe, when appropriately scaled and performed with good technique. Every gym is different and unique, but at CFC, safety and good form are our first priority. Our Coaches will help you learn new movements and scale them appropriately. Heavy weights and high-flying gymnastics movements are super cool and impressive, but it’s imperative to lock in sound mechanics and consistency first. We want to keep you safe and healthy!

Our motto: Mechanics, then Consistency, then Intensity.

It’s important to note that this doesn’t mean you can’t get hurt at CFC. Every single thing you do each day, even doing nothing at all, carries a certain amount of risk. We contend that the risk in doing CrossFit correctly is no greater than the risk in any other fitness program, and it’s nothing compared to the danger in being a couch potato!

Do I have to be in shape to do CrossFit?

NO!! Anyone, regardless of current fitness level, age, height, weight, or race can improve their fitness with CrossFit. Through the magic of scaling, we can make our workouts appropriate for literally anyone that walks through our door. Every movement we do in a workout can be scaled down (or up!) to a level that makes sense for you. Whether you’re 18 or 118, you can do CrossFit.

What is a CrossFit class like at CFC?

Our classes are 60 minute group sessions, led by a knowledgeable, experienced Coach, and they usually follow the same blueprint: The Coach explains the workout of the day (WOD) and answers any questions; the group warms up together; the Coach demonstrates/teaches the movements in the WOD, including appropriate scaling options, and explains good movement standards; the group sets up space and equipment, while the Coach checks in with everyone to make sure they are clear on the movements and scaling correctly; then 3-2-1-GO! The music turns up and the workout happens!

When it’s over, there are high fives and fistbumps all around, you clean up and put away your equipment, you write your name and your result on the big whiteboard, and you’re all done. In and out in as little as an hour, although it’s common for folks to stay and catch up with their gym buddies!

How often should I come to CrossFit?

For your first 6-8 weeks after starting CrossFit, while your body adjusts to the new challenge, we recommend a 2-on/1-off pattern; come in and hit it hard for 2 days in a row, then take a rest day. Rest days are really important; your body needs that time to heal and get stronger, and you’re way less likely to experience overtraining injuries. Then after a couple of months, assuming your body is responding well to the workouts, we’ll encourage you to bump it up to 3-on/1-off and keep it there.

I have a bad shoulder/knee/elbow/ankle/wrist/back. Can I still do CrossFit?

YES!! Every movement we do in CrossFit can be scaled and/or modified to work around virtually any physical limitation, whether acute or chronic. Even better, it’s not uncommon for folks to experience relief from pre-existing painful conditions over time, as the associated muscles, tendons and ligaments get stronger and more flexible.

How is CFC different than other CrossFit gyms?

The CFC Family is a group of friendly, positive, mature adults who are all trying to get fit and stay fit for better lives outside the gym. Some gyms value medals, trophies and plaques, and there’s nothing wrong with that! But it’s not us. We enjoy the occasional friendly local competition, and we would never discourage any athlete from pursuing competitive excellence, but at CFC we value the real life victories: carrying in a full load of groceries in one trip, being able to play longer with the kids, helping a friend move a heavy couch… stuff that matters!

Our house rules are simple:

1. Show up.2. Stay humble.3. Work hard.4. Be nice.5. Clean up.

You’ll make a bunch of new friends, you’ll learn a bunch of new things, and you’ll get in better shape than you’ve ever been before. These are the things that matter to us at CrossFit Chamblee!

CrossFit Is Different.

It’s normal to have questions, doubts, and even anxiety about starting. But if what you’re doing now isn’t working, why not try something different?